(Trinidad Express) Tunapuna detectives probing a report in which a caretaker of an estate poisoned approximately 2,000 avocados which were stolen last week, returned to the estate yesterday.
Sgt Basdeo Sinanan, Cpl Carl Austin and Cpl Roopchan of the Tunapuna CID were taken back to the Madoo Hill Estate in Tunapuna where they took several photographs and samples of the fruit from various trees which are to be taken for further testing.
Another statement was recorded from the 60-year-old caretaker by police at the Tunapuna Police Station and he was allowed to leave afterward.
Officers said the man has been a victim of several praedial larceny incidents.
Snr Supt David Abraham, head of the Northern Division is leading the probe into the incident.
Officers are hoping to submit the file on the investigation to Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard by Tuesday for guidance in the matter.
The man went to the Tunapuna Police Station last week and reported to police that thieves had stolen nearly 2,000 avocados which he had earlier injected with poison.
Officers said the man handed them two syringes and a bottles containing the liquid he is believed to have injected into the fruit. This, he claimed, was to teach the thieves a lesson following previous thefts at the estate.
The incident has caused panic and great concern among lovers of the fruit as well as wholesale and retail vendors. Avocados have been removed from the shelves of several supermarkets, markets, fruit stalls and shops, particularly in Tunapuna.
Police have also advised members of the public to exercise extreme caution in purchasing the fruit. Cpl Roopchan of the Tunapuna CID is probing the incident.
